7 Best Internship Opportunities In Peru
When you hear ‘Peru’, what comes to mind? The ancient Inca history of Machu Picchu? Unique natural settings like the Rainbow Mountains and the Amazon River? Or do you think…
NGO Management Internship in Peru
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Embark on a journey of diverse skill development in NGO management while contributing to the protection of the Amazon Rainforest
You’ll join a nonprofit in Peru committed to protecting the Amazon Rainforest through a holistic conservation model. In addition to reducing environmentally harmful activities, the organization works to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development across the region. By creating alternative employment opportunities, they aim to reduce reliance on practices that damage the rainforest while incentivizing long-term conservation.
As an NGO intern, you’ll support the coordination and day-to-day management of a range of organizational functions, including education initiatives, financial tracking, communications, and social media. You will also have opportunities to contribute to daily project work and operations alongside the local team. Interns should be prepared to take initiative, assess evolving project needs, and jump in where support is most needed—helping to strengthen processes, procedures, and documentation as the organization continues to grow. In addition to your project work, you’ll immerse yourself in Peruvian culture, strengthen your Spanish language skills, explore the rich natural environment of the Amazon, and build meaningful connections with local community members.
Learning Objectives
- Build skills in project monitoring, data analysis, and impact reporting
- Improve your Spanish skills through deep immersion in the community
- Contribute to hands-on conservation and sustainability projects in the field
- Enhance communication and teamwork skills through education, youth programming, and content creation
ORGANIZATION
This is a conservation-focused NGO based on the outskirts of the Peruvian Amazon working to protect the rainforest through youth empowerment and community development. They have a series of goals aimed to reduce poverty and drive sustainable development in the local region including improving education for children for the area, teaching English skills, and creating infrastructure for tourism. They believe that by building skills and creating new job opportunities, they can curtail activities that harm the rainforest and incentivize its conservation.
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
Your day-to-day as an NGO Management intern will vary hugely depending on what projects are in operation when you join. In whatever case, interns will work alongside the local team assisting in managing projects like reforestation sites, permaculture gardens, dry toilet units, and more – while contribtuing to and documenting the daily project work, including conservation and education.
Responsibilities
- Monitor project progress and successes
- Process and analyze impact data
- Write impact reports
- Conduct surveys and interviews with local community members
- Maintain reforestation sites, permaculture gardens, and dry toilet units
- Gather photo and video content for social media
- Teach language lessons and collaborate with other interns to write examsÂ
- Supervise children on their Kids Explorer program and accompany them on nature-appreciation activities
Requirements
- No necessary qualifications or prior experience is needed – academic background in business or development is preferred
- Strong communication skills, written and verbal
- Capability and willingness to work as part of a team
- Be open-minded with a positive, go-getter attitude
- Eager to take inititative and assist the NGO where needed
- Spanish language skills are strongly recommended and a willingness to learn is required
- Minimum age 18
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Interns stay in one of the project’s cabins in Codo del Pozuzo, Puerto Inca. You’ll have basic amenities including showers, long drop compost toilets, a bed with a mosquito net, Wifi, and a kitchen where you can cook for yourself. You may also go out on field trips further away from the project base, where you can spend the night in a tent (bringing/purchasing your own tent is not a must, but recommended). This is very basic accommodation with limited resources, so this program is best suited for interns prepared for a more stripped back way of life.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. It is recommended to bring a portable water filter to ensure you have clean drinking water, particularly during trips to the jungle.
The on-site team will inform you of any safety guidelines regarding the area and any wildlife/insects to be mindful of. As a foreigner in any country, it’s important to be respectful of all cultures and local customs, avoid weary flashy clothing or jewelry, and never walk alone at night.
Communication
Communication
When you are in Codo del Pozuzo, Puerto Inca, you will have access to Wifi, but be aware that there is no Internet or network access in the field. Please note that the Wifi in Puerto Inca can be unreliable – video calls are often possible, but streaming is not. It’s recommended to buy a local SIM card upon arrival, so ensure your phone is unlocked for international carriers.
Meals
Meals
Breakfast and lunch are included during working days. You will need to cook your own food during the evenings and weekends or you can go out for a meal when in Puerto Inca. Local restaurants serve affordable meals consisting of an appetizer (soup or salad) and a main dish for less than USD 5. A soft fruit juice is often part of the menu as well. You can also go fruit picking as there are plenty of fruits around the village for free. It is recommended to purchase 20L bottles of drinking water from the shops.
Location details
Location details
You’ll be based in Codo del Pozuzo, Puerto Inca in the Huánuco region of Peru. This is an area of stunning natural beauty situated along the Sira Mountains in the Amazon Rainforest and bisected by the Pachitea River. The majority of the population lives off farming but deep within the jungle native communities still upholding their customs and traditions can be found too. As well as its extraordinary biodiversity, the area is famed for a number of geological and archaeological sites that you can visit during your internship.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
Internships begin on a Monday and it’s recommended to arrive on weekends, so you can explore Codo del Pozuzo before your official first day. Start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with you during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2026 rates)
4 weeks USD 2,090
6 weeks USD 2,508
8 weeks USD 2,926
12 weeks USD 3,762
16 weeks USD 4,450
20 weeks USD 5,129
Inclusions
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
- Shared accommodation in one of the huts in Codo del Pozuzo, Puerto Inca with access to basic amenities and cooking facilities
- Breakfast & lunch from Monday to Friday
- Spanish classes (4 hours per week for up to 12 weeks) – extra classes can be booked at an additional fee
- Wifi access
- Transfer from/to the airport of Pucallpa or bus station (ride from Pucallpa to Puerto Inca takes approx. 4 hours)
- Activities: five trips to different spots in the rainforest including a camping trips, fruit picking, and an artisanal chocolate making workshop
- Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
- Development of an Internship Work Plan to help you reach your learning goals
- Onboarding with your supervisor
- Regular check-ins
- Support from the Roots team remotely
- A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
- A reference letter upon request
Exclusions
- Flights to Pucallpa Airport
- Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Daily transport
- Daily dinner and all weekend meals
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
FAQs
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Peru.
What can I expect from an internship in Peru?
You can expect to be in bustling cities or a completely remote jungle, depending on your internship of choice. Also, you’ll be collaborating with local professionals and volunteers that will offer you insights into Peruvian work ethics and practices. Beyond your internship, your weekends and free time can be spent discovering the overall breathtaking beauty of the country.
How will a nonprofit internship in Peru help my career development?
During your internship in Peru, you’ll be able to utilize your professional and personal skills, as well as develop those skills that you feel could use more work. Also, employers may see your CV as more favorable, since it’ll show that you were a part of a meaningful international grassroots project, which shows a variety of transferable qualities. If you want to know more about how doing a nonprofit internship is good for your career, make sure to check this blog out!
While on an internship in Peru can I receive university credit?
Yes, but you must check with your university supervisor that this experience qualifies. You can also buy additional transfer credits to add onto your internship.
Can I receive a stipend while completing my internship?
Unfortunately, no. You can find other ways to fund your internship as you will not be paid while working with a nonprofit organization. Your internship experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge, along with opportunities for professional and personal growth which are both invaluable!
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Puerto Inca, Peru
PROGRAM FOCUS: Conservation NGO
TASK FOCUS: Monitoring & Evaluation, Impact Reporting, Project Interaction
LENGTH: Min. 4 weeks
COST: From USD 2,090
FEATURED REVIEW
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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